ABSTRACT
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of mental health issues when faced with the challenges associated with pandemics. This study was conducted to assess the psychological impact of pandemic o n HCWs working in tertiary care hospitals of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April & June 2020. By convenience sampling an electronic form of Goldberg General Health Questionnaire was distributed among HCWs of the private sector and public tertiary care hospitals. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Inferential analysis was done. The significant level was considered at p=< 0. 05. Total of 186 HCWs among which 105 (56.5%) males and 81 (43.5%) females participated in the survey, a mean age of 37.6 +/- 9.28 years. The highest prevalence was found for social dysfunction 184 (97.8%) followed by somatization, 169 (92.8%). Significance of difference was found between age group and anxiety (p=0.018), specialty of HCWs with somatization and social dysfunction (p=0.041 and 0.037 respectively). Pandemic poses a significant risk for the mental health of HCWs. During pandemics at its peak, proper mental health support program, personal and family protection assurance is highly recommended for provision of quality care by HCWs.
ABSTRACT
The diversity of the U.S. population is currently not reflected in the genomic workforce and across the greater scientific enterprise. Although diversity and inclusion efforts have focused on increasing the number of individuals from underrepresented groups across scientific fields, structural racism remains. Thus, the cultivation and adoption of diversity as an ethos requires shifting our focus to being intentional about an institution's character, culture, and climate. One way for this ethos to be sustained is by facilitating an intentional anti-racism approach within the field. Adopting a new perspective on diversity utilizing an anti-racism approach will support genomics researchers as we build supportive, collaborative research environments. We seek to expand critical thought in the framing of diversity in the research enterprise and propose an anti-racism approach that informs deliberate actions required to address structural racism.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at an increased risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection. There is a need for urgent intervention to incease knowledge and practices related to infection prevention and control (IPC) during the current pandemic. Objectives: The objectives of the current study are to assess knowledge, attitude and practices among HCWs regarding IPC practices related to COVID-19 and whether training session can be used as an effective educational tool to improve knowledge. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among HCWs from Sindh. After assessment of baseline knowledge, attitude and practices via pre test, a virtual session on COVID-19 IPC practices was conducted, which was followed by post test. Results: Among 240 participant, 141 (59%) were frontline workers dealing with patients with COVID-19. Only 76 (31%) had previous training on IPC before pandemic and even during pandemic, few (n=95, 40%) had attended a training workshop. Majority (70.4%) of participants were working in a facility with an established IPC department. There was an overall statistically significant improvement in knowledge before and after the education workshop (p value < 0.01). The majority of HCWs believed that poor compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) was due to hot climate, interference with daily work, increased workload and long working hours. The knowledge and reported compliance of hand hygiene were good among majority of participants ( > 90% ). A large number of HCWs (88%) carry hand sanitizers all the time and frequently clean their belongings during current pandemic. Although 75% of HCWs believed that PPE can Aprotect them from contracting infections, a poor compliance of wearing PPE was reported while dealing with patients with COVID-19. Conclusion: Frequent awareness sessions can help in improving knowledge related to infection control and practices among HCWs.